Big Picture: Why Every Healthcare Leader Must Be a Policy Advocate

In my personal opinion, if you're not advocating for legislative initiatives that support hospitals across Texas, then you're missing the big picture.

My Personal Experience.

For over 30 years, I've witnessed firsthand how state and federal legislation profoundly impact hospitals and healthcare delivery. I believe that active participation in the development of healthcare policy initiatives is not just a critical aspect of our roles as healthcare executives but an obligation to the communities we serve.

Over those years, my practical experience with advocacy has included work along side state hospital associations in Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, as well as work with the American Hospital Association. One of the former CEOs with whom I worked served on the AHA board, so this offered a unique perspective and opportunity to learn about the political process.

Also during that time, I served on several state agency-operated Medicaid stakeholder groups. Once, I was honored to have been appointed by a state governor to help assess implementation opportunities for a state-based health insurance exchange. I also supported various political action committees (PACs) where my personal and professional priorities matched those of those organizations.

Today, I serve as chair of the Texas Hospital Association's Policy Committee on Hospital Contracting and Payment, as well as the more senior THA Council on Policy Development. Like me, I believe that the more that you get involved, the more worthwhile and impactful work you will find needs to be done.

Current Legislative and Congressional Climates.

Our engagement in these initiatives becomes even more critical in the face of recent misleading information about hospitals' financial situations across Texas. In recent years, there have been narratives circulated by sources not well-versed in the intricacies of healthcare financing, painting a skewed picture of the reality.

The truth is, hospitals in our state and nationwide have been facing extraordinarily escalating cost pressures for several years. From rising operational costs to the challenges posed by the after-effects COVID-19 pandemic, the financial landscape of healthcare organizations has been undergoing tremendous stress. As healthcare executives and advocates, it is our duty to correct these misconceptions and provide a clear, accurate picture of the financial challenges hospitals face.

How to Become an Advocate.

Hospitals are more than just medical facilities; they are pillars of community health and often the largest employers in their respective communities. Our personal involvement in policy advocacy is crucial for influencing positive changes that ensure hospitals can sustain their crucial, and often government-mandated, services and improve patient outcomes while addressing disparities in healthcare delivery and community availability.

Advocacy, in my opinion, is about supporting initiatives that uphold the stability and effectiveness of healthcare systems. You can take personal action in several ways at both levels of government, state and federal, as follows:

State of Texas

• Write or call your state legislators in Austin when issues arise that affect your healthcare organization, your specific profession, or even your family situation. Find your Texas legislators here: https://wrm.capitol.texas.gov/home
• Contribute to organizations like the Texas Hospital Association's HOSPAC (Hospital Political Action Committee). HOSPAC supports hospital-friendly candidates and legislation, ensuring that the interests of hospitals and their patients are well-represented in the political arena.

United States of America

• Write or call your Congressional leaders in Washington, DC in similar circumstances, as well as encourage your peers to do the same. Find your Congressional leaders here: https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
• Contribute to organizations like the American Hospital Association's AHAPAC (American Hospital Association Political Action Committee) for similar purposes at the national level. If you're unsure which issues affect you, visit the AHA Action Center.As we move forward, I urge my fellow healthcare leaders, finance professionals, and all stakeholders in the healthcare sector to join in this crucial advocacy work.

Let's Wrap it Up.

Advocacy is part of our roles as healthcare executives. We can't wait for others to act on our behalf, when we are the experts in our respective professions and community on issues facing hospitals, today.

Support for organizations like THA, AHA, HOSPAC, and AHAPAC, creates meaningful dialogues with legislative policymakers, and helps dispel misconceptions about the long-term outlook for our communities without bold action to bolster our healthcare infrastructure.

Let us stand together in this endeavor – for the betterment of our hospitals, for the health of our communities, and for the future of healthcare in Texas and beyond.

Thanks for reading. Comment below to share your advocacy story.

Opinion Disclaimer: This LinkedIn article expresses my personal opinion, I am not affiliated with LinkedIn Corporation or Microsoft. The views expressed are my own and do not reflect those of any affiliated organizations.

? 2024 Kevin W. Barron. All rights reserved.

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